Feeling Good About Your Body When You Have Crohn's

“It is possible to have a good body image with Crohn’s disease," says Sara Ringer, "but it’s something you have to continually put effort into.”

Ringer, who's in her early 30s, has gotten medical care for her Crohn's symptoms since she was a baby, although she wasn't diagnosed until she was 14.

All that care focused on her disease. But Ringer, and anyone else with Crohn's, is far more than a patient.

“Body image and self-esteem are things that are not focused on but are a really big deal,” Ringer says. “These are the things we are all thinking but not saying: How will this affect me in a relationship? How will my body work? Will I even be able to do certain things?”

Changes You Can Make Now

Make a list of 10 things you love about yourself that have nothing to do with your body. Put the list some place where you'll see it often.

Write down and appreciate what your body can do instead of focusing on what it can't.

Embrace your surgical scars. "Scars are not disfiguring, they are defining," Ringer says. "It shows how tough you are and how strong you are."

Boost your body confidence. These can be cosmetic steps, like learning to use makeup to hide scars or steroid puffiness, or choosing clothes that are flattering when your weight changes. But it can also be something that works from the inside out, like being physically active. Ringer says she's found that exercise helps her body feel strong.

Create a support system. You're more likely to focus on negative thoughts when you feel alone. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has more than 300 support groups nationwide. You can also follow blogs or use social media to connect with others who share your symptoms and concerns.